Coach Dave Love | NBA Shooting Coach
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coachdavelove.bsky.social
Coach Dave Love | NBA Shooting Coach
@coachdavelove.bsky.social
🏀 NBA Shooting Coach - Currently w/ NBA Eastern Conf Team.
🎓 Pursuing MSc - Skill Acquisition
➕NCAA Programs & Nat'l Feds
🔎Evidence-based coaching
Are you playing the percentages in your shooting development? 📊

See how skill acquisition principles apply to the game of basketball, the same way splitting aces applies in blackjack.

If you want to get more out of your practice, understand this:

https://bit.ly/3ZFVgVB
Skill Acquisition, ShotMetrics... And Blackjack? - Coach Dave Love
Basketball shooting development can be compared to both poker and blackjack, where foundational principles and strategies help shift the odds slightly in favor of the player. Just as poker players need to understand when to check, raise, or fold—and ...
bit.ly
December 7, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Should free throw practice always look the same? 🤔

Discover why a little variability might actually be a good thing, even in the one game situation that appears the same every shot.

You might be surprised to learn how different they really are.

https://bit.ly/3N0JBcr
Variability in Free Throw Practice - Coach Dave Love
This blog started with a conversation I had with an NBA assistant coach who was curious about why I add variability to my free throw practice, especially since free throws are one of the few situations in basketball that aren’t variable during a game...
bit.ly
December 6, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Opinions-based or data-informed coaching?

Discover how ShotMetrics is changing shooting development by bringing objective insights to the table, and changing the landscape of basketball shooting development.
##BasketballAnalytics

https://bit.ly/3ZAch3I
ShotMetrics: A Data-Informed Approach to Shooting Development - Coach Dave Love
In the world of sports, precision and technique are paramount. Whether it’s making a free throw on the basketball court, driving a golf ball down the fairway, or connecting with a fastball on the baseball diamond, the nuances of an athlete’s movement...
bit.ly
December 5, 2025 at 10:00 PM
A still frame doesn’t tell you much about a player’s balance.

Balance is about what came before the shot, and what comes after.

Learn how to train:

Proactive balance
Reactive balance
Stability under variability

Blog for advanced coaches:
https://bit.ly/4p1yhic
December 4, 2025 at 10:00 PM
What’s the foundation of great shooting? 🏀

What is the most important thing players need to do in order to improve as shooters?

Dive into my Shooting Development Pyramid to see the layers that build elite shooters:

https://bit.ly/3zpbZSJ
The Shooting Development Pyramid - Coach Dave Love
In the world of basketball, shooting stands as a pillar of athletic prowess, capable of transforming players into true game-changers. Despite its pivotal role, many players and coaches navigate the complexities of shooting development without a clear...
bit.ly
December 3, 2025 at 10:00 PM
How should teams and players balance skill work during the season? 🔄

Even the NBA could significantly improve the bulk of its shooting practice time.

Learn how to apply Periodization principles to shooting development:

https://bit.ly/3BlKdqK
##BasketballTraining
PERIODIZATION OF SHOOTING DEVELOPMENT - Coach Dave Love
In this blog post, I delve into the research conducted by Fabian W. Otte, Sarah-Kate Millar, and Stefanie Klatt, exploring their “Periodization of Skill Training” framework (“PoST”) through the lens of basketball shooting development. With their cons...
bit.ly
December 2, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Doing a drill gets you better at the drill—but that’s not the goal.

Great shooting is built through adaptability, not repetition alone.

Learn how thoughtful coaches use drills the right way:

https://bit.ly/3AeUiWc
DRILLS ARE LIKE MEDICINE - Coach Dave Love
Drills are like medicine—on the surface, they seem like the solution to every problem. But just as you wouldn’t take antibiotics for a sprained ankle, not every shooting habit can be fixed with a single, generic drill. Players and coaches alike often...
bit.ly
December 1, 2025 at 10:00 PM
In basketball, range isn’t just about practice—it’s physics. 📐

Smaller players must adapt with lower set points for power, while taller players use longer limbs for natural torque.

Explore the science behind these trade-offs:

https://bit.ly/3Yoosya
THE ADVANTAGES (AND DRAWBACKS) OF LONGER LEVERS - Coach Dave Love
In basketball, it’s common to see smaller players modify their shooting form when attempting longer shots. One of the most noticeable adjustments is lowering the set point, bringing the ball down to generate more power. This raises the question: Why ...
bit.ly
November 30, 2025 at 10:00 PM
🚀 Adjust. Adapt. Improve.

Add variety. Adjust difficulty. Tailor the challenge to the player. Learn how the Challenge Point Principle can take your shooting development to the next level. 🏀🔥

Full blog here: https://bit.ly/4fkTiP4
The Challenge Point Principle - Coach Dave Love
The Challenge Point Principle is a cornerstone of effective skill acquisition, helping coaches design practices that accelerate learning and transfer to game situations. Originally developed by Dr. Mark Guadagnoli and Dr. Timothy Lee, the principle p...
bit.ly
November 29, 2025 at 10:00 PM
⚙️ Spin, Seams, and Shooting: Misunderstood.

Learn how off-axis spin impacts shooting consistency—and why what your eyes see might be fooling you.

Let's elevate the way we think about shooting mechanics.

https://bit.ly/3UoSP6m
The Optical Illusion of Ball Spin - Coach Dave Love
To understand shooting mechanics, particularly how the ball is released from the hand, we must understand the illusion and the reality of ball spin.  The quantification and measurement of this idea led to the creation of ShotMetrics, and gives valuab...
bit.ly
November 28, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Want to improve a shooter’s balance?

Start by asking:
👉 What kind of balance do they lack?
👉 What type of variability are they facing?
👉 What habits keep them stable in motion?

This isn’t strength. It’s skill.

New blog for coaches & skill trainers:
https://bit.ly/4p1yhic
November 27, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Inconsistent shooter?

That’s like a pitcher throwing curveballs by accident.

ShotMetrics pinpoints flaws in release mechanics with the precision of MLB pitch design.

The era of guessing is over. 🚫

https://bit.ly/3NGcStt
BASKETBALL'S EQUIVALENT TO BASEBALL'S PITCH DESIGN - Coach Dave Love
In Major League Baseball (MLB), “pitch design” has transformed how pitchers develop their skills. Using technology and data, pitchers now build new pitches with precision and control—something that previously relied heavily on trial and error. The ab...
bit.ly
November 26, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Drills alone don’t build great shooters.

Like medicine, the right drill must fit the need—and it’s only one part of a larger plan.

Learn why nuanced coaching makes the difference between good reps and game-ready skills:

https://bit.ly/3AeUiWc
DRILLS ARE LIKE MEDICINE - Coach Dave Love
Drills are like medicine—on the surface, they seem like the solution to every problem. But just as you wouldn’t take antibiotics for a sprained ankle, not every shooting habit can be fixed with a single, generic drill. Players and coaches alike often...
bit.ly
November 25, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Taller players benefit from longer levers—more torque with less effort.

But height isn’t everything! 🏀

More power means more coordination challenges to maintain consistency.

See how biomechanics impact shooting:

https://bit.ly/3Yoosya
THE ADVANTAGES (AND DRAWBACKS) OF LONGER LEVERS - Coach Dave Love
In basketball, it’s common to see smaller players modify their shooting form when attempting longer shots. One of the most noticeable adjustments is lowering the set point, bringing the ball down to generate more power. This raises the question: Why ...
bit.ly
November 24, 2025 at 10:00 PM
💡 Nominal vs. Functional Difficulty in Shooting

Not all challenges are created equal.

Discover how adjusting the right kind of difficulty leads to smarter skill development in basketball shooters. 🏀

Check out the full breakdown: https://bit.ly/4fkTiP4
The Challenge Point Principle - Coach Dave Love
The Challenge Point Principle is a cornerstone of effective skill acquisition, helping coaches design practices that accelerate learning and transfer to game situations. Originally developed by Dr. Mark Guadagnoli and Dr. Timothy Lee, the principle p...
bit.ly
November 23, 2025 at 10:00 PM
🔄 Not all good shots look perfect.

If the seams aren't aligned, pure rotation can be hard to spot—but it’s still there.

Most coaches rely on an illusion without realizing it.

Dive into the truth about spin and shooting mechanics in my latest blog!

https://bit.ly/3UoSP6m
The Optical Illusion of Ball Spin - Coach Dave Love
To understand shooting mechanics, particularly how the ball is released from the hand, we must understand the illusion and the reality of ball spin.  The quantification and measurement of this idea led to the creation of ShotMetrics, and gives valuab...
bit.ly
November 22, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Baseball pitchers tweak spin for deception.

Shooters?

They need pure spin for efficiency.

ShotMetrics bridges the gap, helping players master their release just like MLB’s pitch design revolution. See how data is transforming shooting habits 🏀

https://bit.ly/3NGcStt
BASKETBALL'S EQUIVALENT TO BASEBALL'S PITCH DESIGN - Coach Dave Love
In Major League Baseball (MLB), “pitch design” has transformed how pitchers develop their skills. Using technology and data, pitchers now build new pitches with precision and control—something that previously relied heavily on trial and error. The ab...
bit.ly
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Shooting Drills are like medicine—valuable, but only when prescribed carefully.

Basketball Shooting development isn’t about one magic drill...

it’s about diagnosing, adjusting, and building habits that transfer to the game. 🏀

https://bit.ly/3AeUiWc
DRILLS ARE LIKE MEDICINE - Coach Dave Love
Drills are like medicine—on the surface, they seem like the solution to every problem. But just as you wouldn’t take antibiotics for a sprained ankle, not every shooting habit can be fixed with a single, generic drill. Players and coaches alike often...
bit.ly
November 20, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Why do smaller players need to adjust their shot mechanics from distance? 💭

It comes down to leverage.

With shorter limbs, they generate less torque, forcing them to lower their set points for power.

Learn more about the trade-offs:

https://bit.ly/3Yoosya
THE ADVANTAGES (AND DRAWBACKS) OF LONGER LEVERS - Coach Dave Love
In basketball, it’s common to see smaller players modify their shooting form when attempting longer shots. One of the most noticeable adjustments is lowering the set point, bringing the ball down to generate more power. This raises the question: Why ...
bit.ly
November 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
🎯 Finding the Sweet Spot for Skill Development

The Challenge Point Principle is a game-changer for basketball shooting.

Learn how balancing difficulty helps players grow faster and shoot better under pressure. 🏀

Read the full blog here: https://bit.ly/4fkTiP4
The Challenge Point Principle - Coach Dave Love
The Challenge Point Principle is a cornerstone of effective skill acquisition, helping coaches design practices that accelerate learning and transfer to game situations. Originally developed by Dr. Mark Guadagnoli and Dr. Timothy Lee, the principle p...
bit.ly
November 18, 2025 at 10:00 PM
💡 Is what you see really what’s happening?

Coaches often misjudge a player’s shot based on the seams of the ball.

In my latest blog, I break down the optical illusion of spin and how pure rotation can still look "wrong." 🎯

https://bit.ly/3UoSP6m
The Optical Illusion of Ball Spin - Coach Dave Love
To understand shooting mechanics, particularly how the ball is released from the hand, we must understand the illusion and the reality of ball spin.  The quantification and measurement of this idea led to the creation of ShotMetrics, and gives valuab...
bit.ly
November 17, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Baseball pitchers use data to master new pitches.

What if shooters could do the same with their shot?

Enter ShotMetrics – the future of basketball shooting mechanics. Learn how we're applying 'pitch design' concepts to shooting development. 🏀⚾️

https://bit.ly/3NGcStt
BASKETBALL'S EQUIVALENT TO BASEBALL'S PITCH DESIGN - Coach Dave Love
In Major League Baseball (MLB), “pitch design” has transformed how pitchers develop their skills. Using technology and data, pitchers now build new pitches with precision and control—something that previously relied heavily on trial and error. The ab...
bit.ly
November 16, 2025 at 10:00 PM
You’ve probably heard of task, environmental, and individual constraints…

But have you heard of informational constraints?

They might be the most powerful (and underused) way to actually shape shooting technique using CLA.

Learn how:
🔗 https://bit.ly/4mR9JXk
Why It's So Hard to Use CLA to Teach Shooting Form - Coach Dave Love
Most coaches trying to apply the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) to basketball eventually hit the same wall: “Okay… but how do I actually use this to improve a player’s shooting technique?” That’s because CLA, especially when paired with Ecological Dy...
bit.ly
November 15, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Most coaches treat "balance" like it's one thing.

But there are different kinds of balance, and each demands different physical habits and practice designs.

Static. Dynamic. Reactive. Proactive.

New blog:

https://bit.ly/4p1yhic
November 14, 2025 at 10:00 PM
The Constraints-Led Approach isn't just theory—it’s a blueprint for smarter shooting practice.

Leverage variability to gain adaptability in shooting development.

Dive into the details:

https://bit.ly/4gFKbdg
The Constraints-Led Approach in Basketball Shooting Development: Balancing Variability and Stability - Coach Dave Love
The Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) has gained significant traction in recent years as a powerful framework for developing athletes’ movement skills. Rooted in ecological dynamics, CLA emphasizes creating practice environments that simulate game condi...
bit.ly
November 13, 2025 at 10:02 PM